Tune your air guitar and raise your rock salute, Melbourne! Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Broadway and West End smash hit rock musical, School of Rock will make its Australian premiere at Her Majesty’s Theatre from October 2018.
School of Rock – The Musical follows dropout Dewey Finn, a failed rock star forced to earn some extra cash by posing as a teacher at a prestigious prep school. But Dewey isn’t going to teach his straight-laced students algebra or arithmetic. These kids are going to learn what it takes to become the most awesome rock ‘n’ roll band of all time.
Now he just needs to get his students to the Battle of the Bands, dodging strict teachers and pushy parents on the way to teaching these pint-sized prodigies what it means to truly rock.
With a new score from Andrew Lloyd Webber, lyrics by Glenn Slater, book by Downton Abbey‘s Julian Fellowes, and all the original songs from the movie, School of Rock features an incredible cast of kids scorching riffs, pounding drums and rocking out live.
Based on the hit movie of the same name, the musical made its world premiere in December 2015 at Broadway’s Winter Garden Theatre, smashing box office records, garnering rave reviews, and earning four Tony nominations. The West End production opened in November 2016 at the New London Theatre, winning the 2017 Oliver for Outstanding Achievement in Music. A US national tour was added in September 2017.
Produced by Paramount Pictures, the 2003 film was directed by Richard Linklater and starred Jack Black in a career-defining performance and went on to gross more than $130 million worldwide.
Andrew Lloyd Webber and Executive Producer, Madeleine Lloyd Webber are excited to be bringing the show to Australia and describe the musical’s creation. “As a family we sat down to watch the movie of School Of Rock and were immediately struck by how much it resonated with us all.”
“We loved it for its audacious sense of fun and realised we had the opportunity to share this with the world in the most exciting way of all – as a great new musical. We cannot wait to see the remarkably talented group of young actor musicians that we will uncover down under.”
Are you a girl who plays bass guitar, drums and/or cello? Are you a boy who plays guitar, piano, and/or drums? Do you love to sing but don’t play an instrument? The search is on to find the best guitar-shredding, fist-pumping kids in the country, with auditions commencing soon – wannabe rock stars can register via the website.
On announcing the Australian premiere, the show’s producers said: “GWB Entertainment is thrilled to be working with Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Really Useful Group and S&Co to bring one of the greatest new feel-good musicals, that has been taking the West End and Broadway by storm, to Australia. Get ready to rock in October, Melbourne!”
School of Rock – The Musical plays Her Majesty’s Theatre, Melbourne from 31 October 2018. Tickets on sale Friday 2 March (pre-sale: Tuesday 27 February). For more information, and to join the waitlist, visit: www.schoolofrockmusical.com.au for details.
Image: The London Cast of School of Rock – The Musical – photo by Tristram Kenton